Anganwadi schools in poor state, shows survey

New Delhi: A survey conducted with the help of around 20,000 children from 16 states has presented a dismal picture of the Anganwadi centres and schools in their respective states.

Under the banner of "9 is Mine" the campaign was launched by Wada Na Todo Abhiyan, the umbrella organisation which tracks government policies in the social sector.

Over 20,000 children took part in this exercise of marking score cards and looking at the infrastructure of 3,677 schools and 3,810 Anganwadis spread over 16 states. It covered 57 parliamentary constituencies, 150 assembly constituencies and over 1,000 villages.

"Only 77 percent of schools have a drinking facility but only 13.83 percent schools have good water facility which is fit for drinking. Out of the 62 percent of schools which have toilet for girls, only 13.33 percent are in good condition," the finding of the survey released on Friday said.

According to the score card prepared by these children, only 10 percent of Anganwadis under the Integrated Child Development Scheme qualified for five marks.

The findings also said that out of 80 percent of Anganwadis which have weighing machines, only 14 percent are operational.

Accessing in these schools was also not very encouraging as only 51 percent have ramps, but of these only 8.33 percent are considered good, the survey said.

Bulu Sareen, the India head at Child Health Now, said, "The primary eduction sector is in a very bad state. It is ironical that the government has given the sanction for 14 lakh Anganwadis and only 10 lakh are operational, that too not in good condition."

Pinky, 18, a student from Uttarakhand, said: "I have been part of the scorecard marking exercise in 10 villages in Dehradun. We feel bad that teachers are not working properly in some schools while the government is spending so much money. It is important that these findings and facts reach them."

The children also demanded the fulfilment of the common minimum programme which promised to commit six percent of GDP to public spending on education and three percent on health.